Draft rigging



Maifh 10. 1925.

3 Sheets-Sheet V1 O TG@ e l sm I e .Rm HN-J .Ad R .WDM .l F

j WZ @a/5.77055 w, H. YOST DRAFT RIGGING Filed aime v s sheets-sheet 2 l Flo l? 'lll/1,11,

W. H. YOST 'DRAFT RIGGING Much 10.1925.

Fuqdgme v, 1920 3 sheets-sheet 5 Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITE!) WINJLD E. Y'osr,` cfr-MONTREAL, QBC, CAADA.

To yall whom/'15 may" concern:

Be it known that I. WIN'FrnLn vI-I. Yos'r,

nary wedge orlo-w velocity type of draft rigging'the cai' will receive quite an initial "f' shock before the wedgesv will act, and that' the action during the stro-ke willbe Very un-A even, causing fast wear to both the 4vdraft rigging parts and the car. Niththelever or high velocity type of draft rigging`v the action is so fast that it -is iinpossibleV to getv the high resistance necessary, although the action will be free` ofthe initial shock and will be smooth during the Vstroke. In my invention I employ levers that will instantly put the draft rigging in motion and wedges to start retardingthe motion las soon as it starts. In this manner the'a'ction will, be free from initial shocks and willjgbe smooth throughout the stroke, at-the Sametime having a high absorbing'capacity.

Owing to the limited travel the coupler, it has been impossible heretofore to obtain a draft rigging of high capacity, work'- absorbing' power, and smooth action, and

consequently great damagehasbeen done t'o cars andcontents. To overcome this defect, I provide a mechanism in which a-fcertain portion of the energy of the coupler is tilized to retard further movementofthe coupler. I preferably accomplish this by the novel combination of wedges andlevers so arranged and adapted thatfforces yapplied to the mechanism ,will be transferred proportionately through the leverr mecha-A' nismto the wedge mechanism in such a man ner that the forces on the fu'lcrum endof the lever, through its bearing on side-wedge member, cause longitudinal and'transverse movement of the side wedge member, `bringing frictional'- contact with the central wedging member proportionally as 'to the leverage. The central wedging member will travel independently in the same direction as the side wedges (compressing the spring) relatively to coupler travelfowing tof the leverage of thelever member., Duringfthis 1920. Serial' No. 386,974.V

action the spring mechanism isiifsed tf contact ofthedifferent parts and' fr "ret ing this mechanism toits" normali" r position;n `I attachfv a `great deal of tanceftfo theffa'ctth'at' the wed'g'e'si'fa y, naar member e 'er agejwd-ging-Iaeenniim move inL the' same` direction 'and ind' @my 0f eachother, Wah this combina it the r'eactio'n of thespring will instantly'forbe contact between' 'the parts1v of tliejvs'iedge' mechanism with the start of motion.' The' tral member and 'secondl'to 'release'thef ntire" has 'two distinct functions.

Spfie.l st'art 4frictiony action by retardin'g the mechanismand to restore it tonorin'alfposin win-be- Sain readily that with this. @at

bin-ation of different-,n1 1e'versa-aajwed-ges, ai

high' capacity resistance lmechanifsin olotainedirrespective of" springjresistance', Aafs' the side wedge memberswill center frictio-nhmember as'soonr as ir'iovement5"'of levers "starts, and 4'coi'itimie'd ,movementYV will5A cause' a :greater pressure of theside wedge' members on'the central member, Inaliinga'i greater resistance to the movement 'of they central member." During this action th'eV central member will travel a greater-"di's tance than the coupler and the main follower through the medium ofthe levers.' When the main follower reaches the end of t'he'casing,'a'll`parts will be inside of the casingI and any force greater than the abso-rbi-ngcapacity ofthe draft rigging will betaken di'- rec'tly on the casing. Y One object of my invention is toprovide' a draft rigging in which a portim ofi-the energy in. the moving-parts-'is used :to create resisting power in the draft rigging; l

Another object of' my invention is to provideY a draft rigging that will'h'a've fric# tionalresisting travel through greater distance than the travel of thecoupler. y Another object of my invention is to pro'-w vide draft riggingfin which `differential levers are used `in combination'with wedges and 'springs to increase 'the `cushionin'gpower of the resisting elements.l Y y f 'l Another obj ect of the invention is pto? duce aVL draft rigging in' which all themov-k ing parts are protectedjby an outer casingv 'y when the capacity hasb'een reached; to rprevent tliesprings from 'going `solid to provide a selfeadjusting means'toL take wea-r. Y U

Thel objects df4 my' invention aref-accom;

Y 1c y v,Figure 4 is a view similiar to Figure 1 with the parts in closed position;

plishedby the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings', in which Figure l3 1s a cross Bv-k-B of Figure 1;

section taken on line VFigure' 5 is a detail perspective view of Vthe casing showing some parts in section;

Figure 6 shows the levers in perspective; j Figure 7 is a perspective view of a side wedge;y l

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the central member, some parts being shown insec- Vtion and,

`Figure 9 is a horizontal central sectional view of draft mechanism embodying a modification yof'my invention.

Draft members or sillsl of the car are provided with draft lugs 2 and 3. The draft lugs are of the usual construction and spacedV according lto the standard practice for the application of the draft rigging, as clearly illustrated, Vand for the purpose hereinafter set forth. A member or casing 4 is provided, preferablyy having one end thereof open. The closed end bears on the draft vlugs 3 and forms an abutment forza spring 5. Mounted within the casing 4 are the spring 5,.follower 6, spring 7, central friction member 8, and two floating side wedges 9. Adjacent the open end of the casing 4 I mount a plurality of differential levers 10 in engagement with the iioatingV wedges 9, central friction member 8, and the main follower 11, forming the complete mechanism. VThe draft rigging as above described may be encircled by the yoke 12, attached'to the drawbar 13, in the usual manner. e f

It will be readily seen that un'de-r bufng stresses the drawbar '13 will move the Vmain follower 11 inwardly and cause each lever 10 to rotate about its fulcrum point 10a onV its associated .side wedge 9. Side wedge 9 in each casebeing in contact with casing 4, at the flared portion 4a, tends to move inwardly both longitudinally and transversely, thus causing pressure to be applied to the vcentralfriction member 8. At they same time the opposite end 10b of each lever 10 will cause the central` friction member 8 to move inwardly` independently of the side wedgesVV 9, compressing the springs 5.and 7, and slide along surface 9a of each side wedge 9,Y creating friction. ,Y As the lever 10 rotates,` the point of contact 10c with follower 11 moves toward the fulcrum point 1()a on side wedge 9, causing the` length ofthe lever arm fte-decrease,

while the point of contact 10" between the lever 10 and central friction member 8 will move away from the fulcrum point 1()a on wedge 9, thus increasing the length of the lever arm. Y It will be seen that as the travel of the drawbar increases inwardly, the leverage compressing the spring rwill decrease, making the travel of the springs 5 and 7- and central friction member 8 faster than the travel of the drawbar 13, giving a long cushioning resistance. When the travel of the'central friction member 8 and the movement of levers 10 continues until the fol- Y lower 11 comes in contact with the outer end `4b of the lcasing 4, Figure 4, then all the` stresses greater than the absorbing capacity of the moving parts will be taken through casing 4 to the rear draft lug 3.

As theleverage von the wedges 9 increases` during an inward movement of the followerV lower 11 back to normal position, as shown in Figure 1.

In pulling stresses the action will be the same as in bufling except that the main follower 11 will'remain stationary while the yoke l2 will move the casing 4 forward, rotating the levers 10 in the same manner as above described.

In order to protect the spring 7 from under strains, and to prevent it from going inc solid, Iprovide the central friction memy ber 8 with walls 8b extending from the front wall 8a and of such a depth that they will come in contact with follower 6 before Yspring 7 will become solid. In a like many ing up wear on vthe moving parts and to prevent looseness in my mechanism, I provide levers 10 of such a shape that they will rotate about their fulcrum points 10a on the side wedges 9 and bearing part 10b on the central friction member 8 during movementv caused by the outward thrust of the springs 5 and 7 on account of the initial compression, allowing the central friction member 8 to advance closer to the main follower ll until the `central friction member 8 will comein contact with ,part l0t offlever 10. At this point the levers vl0 should beV a more even application and withdrawal-ofl friction between-the wedges 9 and central member 8.

The general .construction described in all figures of the drawings is simpleydura'ble, compact,V efcent in operation, easyto assemble and disassemble, and permits oftheV use. of standard ,springs which are applied to cars.

It is my intention to cover all modifications of the invention falling with-in the spirit and scope ofthe following claims'.

I claim: Y

l.' A. draft-gear comprising. a spring meme ber, a friction member co-actingwith said spring member, wedge mechanism acting upon said friction member to retard the movement of said friction member, means to hold the parts in operative engagement, and

levers acting upon said friction member. and

said wedge mechanismfthrough which levers both the friction member and `.wedge mecha-` nism are moved independently of veach other.

2. A draft gear comprising a spring member, a friction member co-acting with said springk member, wedge mechanism actingupon said friction member to retardvthe movement of said friction member, means to hold the partsin operative engagement and differential levers acting upon said friction member and said wedge mechanismthroug'h which differential levers both the friction member and wedge mechanismaremoved in the same direction independently Vof each other throughout the stroke. y i

3. In dra-ftrigging for railroad cars, the combination .of a. draweb'ar having motion, a wedge, a member coacting therewith, a friction member, said friction member being adapted to move in buff in vfrictional engagement with and independently of the wedge a greater distance than t-he travel of the draw-bar, and means for resisting the motion of the parts and restoring them to eX- panded condition after compression.

4. In draft rigging for railroad cars, the combination of a draw-bar having motion, a wedge, a member coacting therewith, a

friction member, said-friction member-being adapted to move in buff differentially` frictional yengggagement with; fand independently of thewedge a ,greaterdistancethan' the travel of the draw-bar,.andy means resisting the .motioniof theiparts andfres-tor# ing them to expanded condition after. com-f pression.l

combination `of a movablev wedge, la' member coacting therewith, a cooperating friction'l member movable 'in the same direction with the wedge .during wedgmg act1on,'ia :liever 5. Indraft rigging for railroad car`s,v-lthefadapted. tto fulcrumvon thewedge andrmov'e the friction member, `and means for. resisting the motion ofl the `parts and restoring them to ,expanded condition-.after compression.

6'. In draft rigging for railroad cars, thecombination of .a movable wedge, .a member coact-ing therewith, a friction member mov* able in the samed1rect1on with the wedgeduringy wedging action, lever adapted to fulcrum on the wedge move :the friction member in frictional engagement with'itlre wedge, and means for resisting them'otion of the parts and restoring them to l'eiqoandedi condition `after compression'fi 7 In draft rigging `for railroad cars", the'- combination of a wedge mechanism liami-ng` one part adapted to travel` in 'the sam'eidirec" tion rin frictional vengagement with another part, and independently thereof, means to hold the parts inoperative engagement, andn a lever for operating4 the wedge mechanisnf'i.

8. Ina draft rigging foi` railroad cars', the combination of ai draw bar, afwedgega mem-V ber with an inclined portioncoaictingr with the wedge, V a friction memberadapted tofbe actedvupon bythe wedge 'fandto move/in frictional contact with and independentof the wedge, an equalizinglever-"for transferring ythe force of said draw bar lto thewe'dfge' and friction member, and a spring formain# taining the Aabovementionedf'parts inropera# tive engagement.: A

9. Indraft rigging forrailroadcars', 'the' combination ,of-'a drawbar, ofv an equalivzing lever adapted to transmit the force fro'inthe Y draw-bar, vand a `wedge mechanism compris-l ing Va plurality of parts movable in thesame direction andV vindependently of each. other duringthe .wedging action, one of the# said parts -beingf adaptedto ber forced into `fri-Q .y tional enga-gementwiththe-otherpart r-by the lever, and means for resisting the motion of the parts and restoring them to expanded condition after compression, A

l0, A draft gear comprising a spring member, a central frictionmember mounted upon said member, wedge mechanism coacting with said central friction member t0 retard the movement of said central friction member, and levers mounted Yupon said central friction member and said wedge mechai nism through which levers both the central member 'and the wedge mechanism are moved. f Y

*11. In draft rigging for railroad cars, the combination ofav 'draw-bar, a `differential lever Y mechanismv operatively associated therewith, a wedge mechanism, a friction member and a spring, said lever cooperatingV with the wedge mechanism and spring, and apart of Vsaid-wedge .mechanism coacting withthe friction member and movable independently thereof. `v

12. In draft rigging for'railroad cars, the combination of a wedge member, coacting wedging means associated therewith, a Vfriction member, said friction member having frictional engagement with and movable independently of the wedge member, a Vlever engaging with the wedge. member and the friction member, and means for resisting the v motion of the parts and restoring them to expanded condition after compression.

Y 13. In draft rigging for railroad cars,`the

VVcombination of a draw-bar, a wedge, coact- 16. In draft rigging ing wedging means associated therewith, a friction member in. engagement with the wedge, a lever operatively associated with the draw-bar and bearing on the wedge and on the friction member, and means for re-v sisting the motion of theparts and restoring them to expanded 'condition after compres sion. w Y f Y 15. AA dra-ft gear ,comprising a spring member, a central friction member mounted upon said spring member, wedge mechanism co-acting with said central friction member to retard the movement of said central friction member, and differential levers mounted upon said central friction member and said wedge mechanism -throughwhich differential 'V levers both thev centralv member and/the wedge mechanism are moved. v

for railroad cars, the combination of a wedge member, coacting wedging means associated therewith, a fric# ti'on member cooperating with the wedge 18.V `In draft rigging for railroad cars, the

combination of a casing, a friction member,

a wedge in engagement with the casing and kthe friction member, a lever for causing relative motion between wedge .and friction member, and mea-ns for resisting the motion of the parts and restoring them to expanded condition after compression.

19. In draft rigging for railroadcars, the

combination of a casing, a friction member, a wedge inengagement with the casing and the frictionv member, a lever bearing on the wedge and on the friction member, said friction member being adapted to move in/relation to the wedgey and casing, and aV spring for yieldingly resisting this movement, I

20. In draft rigging'for railroad cars, the combination of a longitudinally and transversely movable friction element, a longitudinally movable friction element coacting with. the first mentioned element, vmeans for holding the parts in o'perative'engagement and a lever for imparting longitudinal motion toboth of'said elements infthe saine direction relative to the means for holding .the parts in operative engagement.y Y p 21.v In draft rigging forrai-lr'oad cars, the combination of a draw-bar, lever mechanism, wedge mechanism'compo'sed of a pluralityrof parts, said wedge` mechanism adapted to have frictional engagement between its parts, a friction member, means for holding the` parts in operative engagement, and a spring to yieldingly maintain the same in operative position, the levermechanism being adapted to cause the friction member a-nd parts of the wedge mechanism tomove l in the',y same direction.

" Signed at Montreal, Canada,

this first Vday of June, 1920. Y

WINFIELD H. YosT. 

